Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for SuperTuxKart
We weighed five processors on L3 cache and boost clock; the Core Ultra 5 245KF has the largest L3 cache, and the Ryzen 5 5500 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
You do not need a flagship processor for SuperTuxKart; a low-cost current chip clears the game and leaves money for other parts. Every pick cost $200 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads from maker specifications; we did not test these processors ourselves, and a missing L3 cache is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F
A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Best for: Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F
6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Best for: Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab)
Largest Game Cache
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
The largest L3 cache here (24MB).
Best for: Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Our take Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
AMD Ryzen 5 7500F
A low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5 at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7500F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (opens in a new tab) |
| A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 5500F (opens in a new tab) |
| 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest L3 cache here (24MB). | Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates. | Check price for Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (opens in a new tab) |
| A low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5 at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7500F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500 is the cheapest six-core chip here.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It has a smaller 16MB L3 cache and runs PCIe 3.0, which matters little for a budget graphics card. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 24MB. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500F on boost clock (4.2GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 7500F at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500F at 65W. Like the Ryzen 5 5500F, it has an AM4 socket, while the Ryzen 5 7500F uses an AM5 socket.
Like the Ryzen 5 5500F, it has DDR4 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses DDR5 memory. It also offers a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Ryzen 5 5500F the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- One of the cheapest six-core desktop chips
- The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Also Consider2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 5500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 5500F is built around a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, with DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4.2GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. It matches the Ryzen 5 5500 on boost clock (4.2GHz). On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 7500F at 6 cores.
On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 5500 at 65W. Like the Ryzen 5 5500, it has an AM4 socket, while the Ryzen 5 7500F uses an AM5 socket. Like the Ryzen 5 5500, it has DDR4 memory, while the Core Ultra 5 245KF uses DDR5 memory.
It drops into an AM4 board with DDR4 memory; older B450 and X470 boards need a BIOS that supports this chip, so check the support list before swapping. It was priced above the Ryzen 5 5500 and below the Core Ultra 5 225F at the time of writing. There is no published L3 cache figure, whereas the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 24MB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 4.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM4
- Memory: DDR4
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- DDR4-3200 support and 19MB of cache
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- AM4 is a final-generation platform with no newer CPUs coming
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 5 225F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 225F is a locked ten-core LGA1851 chip.
Best for
- Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits a budget Intel build that will pair with a B860 board. Its 22MB L3 cache ranks second of 3 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (24MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500 (16MB). Its 4.9GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F (4.2GHz).
On core count it sits mid-pack at 10 cores: the Core Ultra 5 245KF offers 14 cores, and the Ryzen 5 7500F comes in at 6 cores. Like the Core Ultra 5 245KF, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket. When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 5500F and cheaper picks cost less, and the Core Ultra 5 245KF cost more. If you want a confirmed rated power, look to the Ryzen 5 5500 instead: it offers 65W, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 22MB
- Max boost: 4.9GHz
- Cores / threads: 10 cores
- Socket: LGA1851
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support on Intel 800-series boards
- L3 cache of 22MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
- Boost clock of 4.9GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500
Cons
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- No published rated power
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 5500 at the time of writing
Largest Game Cache4 of 5
Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the entry to LGA1851, with 14 cores and no integrated graphics.
Best for
- Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no cooler in the box.
Why we like it
It needs a graphics card to show a picture, which every gaming build has anyway. Its 24MB L3 cache is the largest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 22MB. Nothing else here matches its 5.2GHz boost clock; the Ryzen 5 7500F comes closest at 5GHz.
Its 14 cores core count is the highest here; the Core Ultra 5 225F comes next at 10 cores. On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 5 5500 offers 65W. Like the Core Ultra 5 225F, it has an LGA1851 socket, while the Ryzen 5 5500 uses an AM4 socket.
It also offers 6 performance and 8 efficient cores, Intel 800-series chipset support and PCIe 5.0 support. It was priced above the Core Ultra 5 225F and below the Ryzen 5 7500F at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 24MB
- Max boost: 5.2GHz
- Cores / threads: 14 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 14
- Socket: LGA1851
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Intel 800-series chipset support
- PCIe 5.0 support
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 5500 (65W)
Premium Pick5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 7500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Ryzen 5 7500F brings to the table is a low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5, plus DDR5 memory support.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. Its 5GHz boost clock ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core Ultra 5 245KF (5.2GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 5500F (4.2GHz). It is the only pick here with an AM5 socket; the Ryzen 5 5500 has an AM4 socket instead.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Core Ultra 5 245KF the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Core Ultra 5 245KF instead: it offers 24MB, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max boost: 5GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
Pros
- Low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5
- DDR5 memory support
- Boost clock of 5GHz, ahead of the Core Ultra 5 225F
- AM5 socket, the only one here
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- Core count trails the Core Ultra 5 245KF (14 cores)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out L3 cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 5500 to the Ryzen 5 7500F, state boost clock, core count and socket.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 7500F give no L3 cache; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Ryzen 5 7500F give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 5500 ($50 to $100) to the Ryzen 5 7500F ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for SuperTuxKart
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much boost clock you need
The Core Ultra 5 245KF tops boost clock at 5.2GHz and the Ryzen 5 5500F sits lowest at 4.2GHz. The Core Ultra 5 245KF is the pick for boost clock.
Core count
Here core count runs from 6 cores on the Ryzen 5 7500F to 14 cores on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 133% spread. For less, the Core Ultra 5 225F is the runner-up at 10 cores ($100 to $150 tier).
L3 cache across these picks
Here L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 5500 to 24MB on the Core Ultra 5 245KF, a 50% spread. The Core Ultra 5 225F comes second at 22MB, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the Core Ultra 5 245KF. The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 7500F give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F list DDR4; the Core Ultra 5 245KF and the Ryzen 5 7500F list DDR5. Sort out memory before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2 and 2.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F have it; the Core Ultra 5 245KF goes without. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 2 and 1.
How to Choose a CPUs for SuperTuxKart
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Ryzen 5 5500F | Ryzen 5 5500 | The cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F |
| Buyers who want Wraith Stealth cooler in the box | Ryzen 5 5500F | A Wraith Stealth cooler in the box |
| Buyers who want 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores | Core Ultra 5 225F | 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores |
| Games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates | Core Ultra 5 245KF | The largest L3 cache here (24MB) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Ryzen 5 5500 costs less | Ryzen 5 7500F | A low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5 at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads on boost clock at 5.2GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 5 7500F at 5GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 7500F leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 5500 | 16MB | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 5 5500F | Not listed | 4.2GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core Ultra 5 225F | 22MB | 4.9GHz | 10 cores | Not listed |
| Core Ultra 5 245KF | 24MB | 5.2GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 7500F | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 5500 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the Ryzen 5 7500F the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Ryzen 5 5500 |
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 5500F, Core Ultra 5 225F |
| About $150 to $250 | Core Ultra 5 245KF, Ryzen 5 7500F |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Core Ultra 5 245KF ahead of the Ryzen 5 7500F on boost clock?
The Core Ultra 5 245KF leads at 5.2GHz, with the Ryzen 5 7500F at 5GHz. The spread runs down to the Ryzen 5 5500F at 4.2GHz.
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Core Ultra 5 245KF on core count?
Between the top two, it is 14 cores on the Core Ultra 5 245KF against 10 cores on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 40% difference. The Ryzen 5 7500F closes the ranking at 6 cores.
How does the Core Ultra 5 225F compare with the Core Ultra 5 245KF on L3 cache?
Between the top two, it is 24MB on the Core Ultra 5 245KF against 22MB on the Core Ultra 5 225F, a 9% difference. The Ryzen 5 5500 is at the other end of this group with 16MB. The Ryzen 5 5500F and the Ryzen 5 7500F don't state a L3 cache figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Ryzen 5 7500F add over the Ryzen 5 5500?
The spec sheets show boost clock (5GHz against 4.2GHz) in its favour. On our last price check the Ryzen 5 5500 was in the $50 to $100 tier and the Ryzen 5 7500F in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock decides your purchase.
Why is the Core Ultra 5 245KF our Largest Game Cache pick?
The label rests on the largest L3 cache here (24MB). On L3 cache it leads the Core Ultra 5 225F, 24MB against 22MB, a 9% margin. The price of that: the Ryzen 5 5500, the cheapest pick, still beats it on rated power (65W against 125W). It is aimed at games that are limited by the CPU at high frame rates.
Do the Ryzen 5 5500 and the Core Ultra 5 225F differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 5500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F use AM4; the Core Ultra 5 225F and the Core Ultra 5 245KF use LGA1851; the Ryzen 5 7500F uses AM5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 5500, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Ryzen 5 5500F. Look at the Ryzen 5 5500F for a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, the Core Ultra 5 225F for 6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores and the Ryzen 5 7500F for a low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5 at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Match the memory type (DDR4 or DDR5) to the board you choose.